Injured child and no warning labels on a vacuum cleaner

[loving_parents]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? New Jersey

Well this is a little embarrassing but not sure where else to turn where I can be anonymous. Our 12 year old son has gotten to that age and pueberty has begun. He and his friends have discovered the opposite sex as well as Playboy magazines, frequent erections, and the internet. Last Friday night when we were asleep he got out the vacuum cleaner, vaseline, and a playboy magazine. The vacuum cleaner was one of those older models where you have to "click" the hose in the motor/control unit. You know what happend next....He started his sex play and fantasies and tried to use the running vacuum as an artificial vagina. He foolishly though the suction would simulate intercouse. Well the motor fan was just a few inches inside the hose hole and he placed his penis directly in the motor unit fan. After we heard screaming and crying we ran out, found our son and without question took him to the emergency room. His penis had a very large gash and he lost lots of blood. The doctor daid he would be ok but might loose function of his penis. After an overnight at the hospital and stiches he was sent home. Now the problem is that we do not have medical insurance he needs surgury and plastic surgury. This will cost $$$$ money that we don't have. The vacuum had no warning label at all so I am wondering -- do we have a good case to sue the vacuum manufacturer?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Sue

 

[Proserpina]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? New Jersey

Well this is a little embarrassing but not sure where else to turn where I can be anonymous. Our 12 year old son has gotten to that age and pueberty has begun. He and his friends have discovered the opposite sex as well as Playboy magazines, frequent erections, and the internet. Last Friday night when we were asleep he got out the vacuum cleaner, vaseline, and a playboy magazine. The vacuum cleaner was one of those older models where you have to "click" the hose in the motor/control unit. You know what happend next....He started his sex play and fantasies and tried to use the running vacuum as an artificial vagina. He foolishly though the suction would simulate intercouse. Well the motor fan was just a few inches inside the hose hole and he placed his penis directly in the motor unit fan. After we heard screaming and crying we ran out, found our son and without question took him to the emergency room. His penis had a very large gash and he lost lots of blood. The doctor daid he would be ok but might loose function of his penis. After an overnight at the hospital and stiches he was sent home. Now the problem is that we do not have medical insurance he needs surgury and plastic surgury. This will cost $$$$ money that we don't have. The vacuum had no warning label at all so I am wondering -- do we have a good case to sue the vacuum manufacturer?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Sue

I have to quote this for posterity.

 

[cbg]

do we have a good case to sue the vacuum manufacturer?

That would be a whopping big NO, lady - are you SERIOUSLY trying to tell me you think the manufacturer needed to TELL your son not to put his penis in the hose?

Why didn't YOU (or at least his dad) teach him that body organs and household appliances do not belong together?

(Mike Peters - is that you?)

 

[Proserpina]

do we have a good case to sue the vacuum manufacturer?

That would be a whopping big NO, lady - are you SERIOUSLY trying to tell me you think the manufacturer needed to TELL your son not to put his penis in the hose?

Why didn't YOU (or at least his dad) teach him that body organs and household appliances do not belong together?

My dear, have you ever noticed the warning on curling tongs saying "For External Use Only"?

 

[loving_parents]

Well my point is that someone could have put a finger in there too. The manufacturer should have placed a sticker on the unit that said "caution - moving parts". We have no choice but to sue

 

[cbg]

Okay, Mike. You go right ahead and sue.

 

[stealth2]

I am vigorously S-ingMH here... What happened to the days of just using your hand?

 

[Proserpina]

Well my point is that someone could have put a finger in there too. The manufacturer should have placed a sticker on the unit that said "caution - moving parts". We have no choice but to sue

I suggest you take all of your son's medical records to a competent personal injury attorney for further review.

I do not believe it's the vacuum's "unit" which needs a label.

 

[stealth2]

Well my point is that someone could have put a finger in there too. The manufacturer should have placed a sticker on the unit that said "caution - moving parts". We have no choice but to sue

No, really... only a small child (who should not have unfettered access to appliances) would stick a finger in it. And, obviously, only a not too swift adolescent would stick their genitals into an appliance.

 

[loving_parents]

Well my son made a poor choice and that does not make me a poor parent. He had tried other things such as greased water balloons, shampoo bottles, and warm cold cuts. He said he wanted to try the vacuum because there is some sort of sex toy for men that have a little pump that uses suction for stimulation.

 

[cbg]

And of course you would know all about that, Mike. How'd you do on that algebra test?

 

[stealth2]

Hey, wait... Now *I* have a question!!! When my son was little (much littler than 12), he managed to zip his penis into his onesie PJ's. Can I sue the manufacturer for not putting a warning label on them that male children should wear underwear under their PJs so that they do not suffer the trauma and potential functional damage of such a sensitive organ? It was a very traumatic experience for him (and me! Since I had to unzip it!), and I think he should be compensated for it!!!

 

[Proserpina]

Hey, wait... Now *I* have a question!!! When my son was little (much littler than 12), he managed to zip his penis into his onesie PJ's. Can I sue the manufacturer for not putting a warning label on them that male children should wear underwear under their PJs so that they do not suffer the trauma and potential functional damage of such a sensitive organ? It was a very traumatic experience for him (and me! Since I had to unzip it!), and I think he should be compensated for it!!!

OMGZ yes!

Sue!

Sue!

Sue them NOW!

Right now, this INSTANT! Otherwise you're a Lousy Parent who simply DOES NOT CARE about her children!

 

[stealth2]

Well my son made a poor choice and that does not make me a poor parent. He had tried other things such as greased water balloons, shampoo bottles, and warm cold cuts. He said he wanted to try the vacuum because there is some sort of sex toy for men that have a little pump that uses suction for stimulation.

Didn't Dad have a chat with him about that sort of thing? Seriously - WHAT 12yo thinks of using warm food to get off with? OR water balloons and shampoo bottles? Did it not occur to him to use his HAND? He could even switch partners every time! Who could two-time his left hand by dating his right.

 

[loving_parents]

Kids will be kids.